Unlocking Digital Content via Geo-Location Sensors

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems that update digital content based on physical toys are impractical due to the risk of loss or damage when transporting these toys to readers, making it difficult to unlock associated digital content.

Innovation Solution

A system that uses sensors and processors to detect objects associated with user accounts at predetermined geographic locations, allowing digital content related to toys to be unlocked without the physical presence of the toys, using objects like mobile devices and sensors to generate output signals and execute computer program modules for user, location, and unlock functions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If physical toys are transported to readers to unlock digital content, then digital content can be accessed, but the risk of losing or damaging the toys increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a copy of the toy's identification data stored in a database at the reader device. Instead of requiring the physical toy to be present, the system retrieves and uses a digital copy of the toy's identification information to unlock associated digital content, eliminating the need to transport the physical toy while maintaining the ability to access content

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a database as an intermediary between the physical toy and the digital content. The database stores identification data about toys and their associated content, allowing the system to match and unlock content without direct physical interaction with the toy itself

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If physical toys are required to be present at the reader, then digital content can be unlocked, but the convenience and practicality of the system decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses a digital copy of the toy's identification data stored in the database to unlock content, eliminating the need for physical transport while maintaining reliable content unlocking through the copied identification information

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical requirement of physically transporting and inserting a toy into the reader with an electronic/database-based system that retrieves toy identification data and unlocks content through digital processing, significantly improving ease of operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS9764229B2Unlocking of digital content based on geo-location of objects

Publication Date: 2017.09.19

AI summary

This disclosure relates to a system configured to unlock digital content related to toys associated with users. The digital content may be unlocked based on the associations between the toys and the users, and presence of objects associated with user accounts at predetermined geographic locations. The predetermined geographic locations may be locations within theme parks, restaurants, stores, and/or hotels. The toys associated with the users may include, for example, toys owned by the users. The toys may include physical toys and/or virtual toys in a virtual space. The objects associated with user accounts may include, for example, a mobile phone belonging to the user. The user accounts may be electronic accounts associated with individual users that include information related to the toys associated with users and information related to the objects.